13 apr 2020
A cargo flight of medical supplies destined to Palestine from China arrived Monday at the Israeli Ben-Gurion airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced in a press release that a Turkish Airline carrying a shipment of medical supplies donated by Alibaba to Palestine to curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus landed at al-Lydd (Ben-Gurion) airport.
The ministry added that the Palestinian Civil Affairs Commission was arranging for the clearance of the crucial medical supplies, which were sent at the request of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Riyad al-Malki in coordination with the Palestinian embassy in China.
The Chinese online shopping platform, the ministry noted, has also donated similar supplies to Israel, and these donations were airlifted to Israel aboard another plane.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced in a press release that a Turkish Airline carrying a shipment of medical supplies donated by Alibaba to Palestine to curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus landed at al-Lydd (Ben-Gurion) airport.
The ministry added that the Palestinian Civil Affairs Commission was arranging for the clearance of the crucial medical supplies, which were sent at the request of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Riyad al-Malki in coordination with the Palestinian embassy in China.
The Chinese online shopping platform, the ministry noted, has also donated similar supplies to Israel, and these donations were airlifted to Israel aboard another plane.
9 apr 2020
Passengers from New York arrive despite nationwide regulations grounded all international and domestic flights; travelers falsely declare they have option to self-isolate in order to enter country
Dozens of passengers traveling from the United States were allowed entry to Israel on Thursday, despite regulations requiring any non-nationals to enter a 14-day quarantine at a state-run facility.
It is the second time in days that such a breach has happened.
According to health regulations that came into effect overnight Sunday, all arrivals from overseas are supposed to be taken to isolation compounds operated by the IDF Home Front Command.
Instead, the travelers who arrived from New York were greeted by Magen David Adom teams who checked them for coronavirus-related symptoms and then allowed entry into the country after they signed a form declaring they would remain in self-isolation for the next two weeks.
One of the travelers told Ynet that he did not have a place to self-isolate despite declaring so at the airport.
"I still haven't figured out where to isolate myself but first let me get home and then we'll worry about it," the man said. "It's a completely technical matter, I'm sure I'll find a room in my relatives' house and they'll take care of everything I need."
Daniel, another passenger on the flight, told Ynet that he was allowed by health officials to take a cab home after he filled in the forms.
"They explained to us on the plane what was going to happen and what it meant to be in isolation and asked us all kinds of questions on whether we were feeling well or had a cough," Daniel said.
"Then they took our temperatures and said that if there was someone on board who had no place to go, they should make it know and he would be taken care of. After we filled out a form, we were told we could go home but should stay in 14-day isolation."
The flight in question, United Airlines flight UA90, landed in Israel from Newark Airport on Thursday despite a nationwide lockdown that brought all public transport, including international and domestic flights, to a halt from 8pm on Tuesday until Sunday at 8am.
However, the regulations state that international flights could operate with the prior approval of the ministers of transport and the interior.
This is the second commercial flight to land in Israel after the new directive, which requires those arriving in Israel to enter self-isolation at a state-run facility, came into effect.
Another group that returned from the U.S. on Sunday were freely allowed to leave the airport .
Dozens of passengers traveling from the United States were allowed entry to Israel on Thursday, despite regulations requiring any non-nationals to enter a 14-day quarantine at a state-run facility.
It is the second time in days that such a breach has happened.
According to health regulations that came into effect overnight Sunday, all arrivals from overseas are supposed to be taken to isolation compounds operated by the IDF Home Front Command.
Instead, the travelers who arrived from New York were greeted by Magen David Adom teams who checked them for coronavirus-related symptoms and then allowed entry into the country after they signed a form declaring they would remain in self-isolation for the next two weeks.
One of the travelers told Ynet that he did not have a place to self-isolate despite declaring so at the airport.
"I still haven't figured out where to isolate myself but first let me get home and then we'll worry about it," the man said. "It's a completely technical matter, I'm sure I'll find a room in my relatives' house and they'll take care of everything I need."
Daniel, another passenger on the flight, told Ynet that he was allowed by health officials to take a cab home after he filled in the forms.
"They explained to us on the plane what was going to happen and what it meant to be in isolation and asked us all kinds of questions on whether we were feeling well or had a cough," Daniel said.
"Then they took our temperatures and said that if there was someone on board who had no place to go, they should make it know and he would be taken care of. After we filled out a form, we were told we could go home but should stay in 14-day isolation."
The flight in question, United Airlines flight UA90, landed in Israel from Newark Airport on Thursday despite a nationwide lockdown that brought all public transport, including international and domestic flights, to a halt from 8pm on Tuesday until Sunday at 8am.
However, the regulations state that international flights could operate with the prior approval of the ministers of transport and the interior.
This is the second commercial flight to land in Israel after the new directive, which requires those arriving in Israel to enter self-isolation at a state-run facility, came into effect.
Another group that returned from the U.S. on Sunday were freely allowed to leave the airport .
10 mar 2020
New guidelines come following all-embracing government directive for all arrivals from overseas, nationals and non-nationals, to self-quarantine regardless of port of origin
Israeli authorities have introduced on Tuesday a host of new directives aimed at fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country.
The Health Ministry tightened its restrictions on the number of participants in public events, further reducing the maximum attendance allowed from 5,000 people to 2,000 people, while also urging the public to reconsider holding mass gatherings of any kind.
The ministry also advises the public to refrain from visiting hospitals, nursing homes or any other location where senior citizens may be found.
“The Health Ministry recommends that the elderly population, especially those with a history of health problems, reduce contact with [members of the general public] as possible while still maintaining their routine,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Welfare Ministry also announced earlier Tuesday that visiting nursing homes will be barred indefinitely in light of the virus outbreak.
“Due to the vulnerability of the elderly population and the need to maintain their health, family visits will only be allowed to take place outside the nursing homes,” the ministry said.
Israel Police announced that it will receive all information on nationals returning to the country to assist its units in enforcing the mandatory 14-day home quarantine for all arrivals from overseas.
In addition, Israel Police and the Health Ministry have set up designated task forces, consisting of police officers and health inspectors to prevent quarantine violations.
Also, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Israeli authorities have introduced on Tuesday a host of new directives aimed at fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country.
The Health Ministry tightened its restrictions on the number of participants in public events, further reducing the maximum attendance allowed from 5,000 people to 2,000 people, while also urging the public to reconsider holding mass gatherings of any kind.
The ministry also advises the public to refrain from visiting hospitals, nursing homes or any other location where senior citizens may be found.
“The Health Ministry recommends that the elderly population, especially those with a history of health problems, reduce contact with [members of the general public] as possible while still maintaining their routine,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Welfare Ministry also announced earlier Tuesday that visiting nursing homes will be barred indefinitely in light of the virus outbreak.
“Due to the vulnerability of the elderly population and the need to maintain their health, family visits will only be allowed to take place outside the nursing homes,” the ministry said.
Israel Police announced that it will receive all information on nationals returning to the country to assist its units in enforcing the mandatory 14-day home quarantine for all arrivals from overseas.
In addition, Israel Police and the Health Ministry have set up designated task forces, consisting of police officers and health inspectors to prevent quarantine violations.
Also, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Station to remain open for airport workers and passengers traveling within the country; workers' union welcomes decision, says enforcement must be upheld
As efforts to stymie the spread of the coronavirus press on, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The new directive comes following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday announcement that all arrivals from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival, regardless of their port of origin.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
The Railway Workers' Union welcomed the decision, saying that the enforcement of the new directive should be given the proper tools to ensure its success.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
As efforts to stymie the spread of the coronavirus press on, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The new directive comes following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday announcement that all arrivals from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival, regardless of their port of origin.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
The Railway Workers' Union welcomed the decision, saying that the enforcement of the new directive should be given the proper tools to ensure its success.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Taiwanese Foreign Ministry's decision comes a day after Netanyahu said the government will quarantine anyone, whether Israelis or tourists, arriving from overseas for 2 week over the outbreak of COVID-19
Taiwan on Tuesday issued a travel advisory to Israel, warning its citizens they would be immediately quarantined upon arrival in the Jewish State due to coronavirus spread.
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry's move comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government has decided to quarantine anyone, whether Israelis or tourists, arriving from overseas for 14 days over the outbreak of COVID-19.
Taiwan on Saturday issued a similar travel advisory to France, Germany and Spain due to the rapid increases in the numbers of coronavirus cases in the European countries.
"After a whole day of complex discussions, we've reached a decision: every person arriving in Israel from abroad must enter a 14-day quarantine," Netanyahu told reporters during a news conference on Monday. "This is a difficult decision, but it is necessary to maintain public health, and public health is above all else. The decision will be in effect for the next two weeks."
For Israelis arriving to the countries, the order has already gone into effect. For foreign nationals arriving in Israel, the directive will go into effect on Thursday.
The decision was preceded by a heated argument between Security ministers, as they failed earlier Monday to reach an agreement over whether to extend the preventive measures against the virus, namely, the extension of the quarantine obligation imposed on arrivals from countries hit by the pathogen to the United States as well.
Some of the ministers strongly opposed the move and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri claimed the new measures will put an additional 240,000 people in quarantine.
Taiwan on Tuesday issued a travel advisory to Israel, warning its citizens they would be immediately quarantined upon arrival in the Jewish State due to coronavirus spread.
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry's move comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government has decided to quarantine anyone, whether Israelis or tourists, arriving from overseas for 14 days over the outbreak of COVID-19.
Taiwan on Saturday issued a similar travel advisory to France, Germany and Spain due to the rapid increases in the numbers of coronavirus cases in the European countries.
"After a whole day of complex discussions, we've reached a decision: every person arriving in Israel from abroad must enter a 14-day quarantine," Netanyahu told reporters during a news conference on Monday. "This is a difficult decision, but it is necessary to maintain public health, and public health is above all else. The decision will be in effect for the next two weeks."
For Israelis arriving to the countries, the order has already gone into effect. For foreign nationals arriving in Israel, the directive will go into effect on Thursday.
The decision was preceded by a heated argument between Security ministers, as they failed earlier Monday to reach an agreement over whether to extend the preventive measures against the virus, namely, the extension of the quarantine obligation imposed on arrivals from countries hit by the pathogen to the United States as well.
Some of the ministers strongly opposed the move and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri claimed the new measures will put an additional 240,000 people in quarantine.
